China-based Staff

Beijing Staff / Shanghai Staff / Xi'an Staff

Students, parents, faculty, and advisors can rely on the Alliance for Global Education to provide insightful guidance and thorough support services throughout their experience. Before departure, students may contact their Senior Program Manager with any questions or concerns. Once students arrive overseas, the Alliance's on-site Resident Directors and Program Assistants lead orientation programs and are be available to students at all times for academic and personal support and practical advice. They work to enhance students' experience through planned cultural activities, lectures, field study trips, and social events.

Beijing Staff

Han Bing

Director for China Programs

Han Bing is a native of Beijing, who has worked in study abroad and Chinese language teaching since 1997. He has many years of experience as a program director as well as a Chinese language instructor in China and the United States. In recent years he has taught Chinese language, culture, film studies, and Chinese business culture in China and in the US at both Vassar College and Williams College. He has also led numerous student trips throughout China, including Yunnan, Sichuan, Northwestern China, Silk Road, Northeastern China, Eastern China, Guangdong, and Tibet. Han Bing earned a BA in Electrical Engineering in 1996, a BA in International Trade in 1997, and an MA in Microwave Communications Technology in 2000. As Director for China Programs, Han Bing oversees the Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an programs. In addition to travelling to the Alliance program sites, Han Bing works with staff to ensure the highest standards of program quality.

 

Marketus Presswood

Resident Director, Beijing Program

Originally from Chicago, Marketus Presswood has spent much of his professional life in Asia, studying and working in China for seven years, teaching English in Japan, and conducting research in India. He brings to the Alliance a passion for China and study abroad, having founded and directed BSA, a study abroad program for under-represented American minority students in China. Marketus earned his BA in history from Morehouse College in 1998 and later completed an MS in International Public Service Management and International Relations from DePaul University. In addition, he draws from a wide range of experiences in on-site orientation, program monitoring and evaluation, and cross-cultural communication. Marketus oversees the Alliance Beijing programs and serves as an advisor and cultural resource for students during their time in China.

 

YuanYuan Zhang

Program Assistant, Beijing Program

YuanYuan Zhang assists the Program Director in all aspects of student services at the Beijing program. While earning her BA in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language at BLCU, she became intimately familiar with the campus and local student life. She is currently completing her MA in Applied Linguistics and has also served for several years as an officer in the BLCU Students Union. In addition, YuanYuan has experience teaching Chinese in a variety of venues, designing activities both in and outside of the classroom.

 

Shanghai Staff

Xu Li

Language Director, Shanghai Programs

A Beijing native, Xu Li joins the Alliance following several years of experience as a Chinese lecturer with Princeton University, Princeton in Beijing intensive language program (PiB), and Middlebury College Summer School. While earning her BA in Chinese Language and Literature and MA in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language from Beijing Normal University, she received a variety of honors and awards for her scholarship. This summer, Xu Li will serve as Beijing Language Director before moving on to a permanent position as Shanghai Language Director in fall 2011. Xu Li is responsible for clearly defining and maintaining superior language instruction by supervising and training Alliance language teachers and working closely with the students.

 

Wang Kai

Resident Director, SUFE Program

Wang Kai brings to the Alliance an academic background in communication studies focusing on intercultural communication, coupled with hands-on experience working in the field of study abroad, higher education, and professional training. He has taught and advised U.S. undergraduates at the University of Kansas, and has taught English to undergraduates in China. Kai received his PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas and an MA in Communication from Pittsburg State University. His personal interests range from playing Go, watching sports, to traveling in the U.S. as well as in China. He serves as a resource to our students in the SUFE International Business Program, organizes activities and trips, and helps them deepen their understanding of China.

 

Michelle Sans

Resident Director, Fudan Programs

Michelle, who holds MA degrees in Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language and in Chinese Language and Literature, first went to Taipei in 1986 to teach English and study Chinese. Since then, China has shaped the course of her professional life. She lived in Nanjing for four years, where she studied and later taught at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center; and after returning to San Francisco, she chose work that would regularly bring her back to China. That has included leading a dozen academic tours throughout China and researching and writing two chapters of Frommer’s first China Guide, which took her to some of the less visited provinces, including Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Qinghai (still three of her favorite destinations). While directing VIA’s (Volunteers in Asia) China program, Michelle worked with volunteer organizations across the country and developed a keen interest in China’s burgeoning civil society. Shanghai, best known as an economic giant, is also home to a number of grassroots organizations. Michelle looks forward to finding new opportunities for Alliance students to interact with this growing nonprofit sector.

 

Ding Zherui

Program Assistant, Fudan Programs

Ding Zherui (also known as Ella) graduated from East China Normal University, where she majored in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. Ella supports all aspects of student service and is involved with program planning and coordination at Fudan. A native of Shanghai, she is very familiar with the city and local culture and is great resource for exploring all this amazing city has to offer. In addition, Ella provides Chinese instruction for the International Business program at SUFE.

 

Xi'an Staff

Joseph Segar

Resident Director, Xi’an Program

As Resident Director in Xi’an, Joseph Segar draws from a wide range of experiences working with the Chinese language and Chinese citizens. Having earned his BA in East Asian Studies and MA in Anthropology, Joe is currently completing his PhD in Anthropology at Stanford University, focusing on urban social issues, grey economy, and youth culture in Chongqing, China. Outside of academia, he has spent over ten years in various roles as a lecturer, language instructor, interpreter, and travel guide in China and the US – and he even served as a television host on the internationally broadcast Chongqing Today Chinese language show!  Joe initially joined the Alliance team as Assistant Resident Director in Beijing, and he is thrilled to now manage the Xi’an program and help students navigate globalization along the Silk Road.

 

Li Xiaohan

Program Assistant, Xi’an Program

Li Xiaohan joined the Alliance from Shaanxi Normal University (SNU) with a Bachelor’s in Chinese Literature and Master’s in Applied Linguistics. In addition to her rich academic foundation, Xiaohan has significant experience teaching Chinese to exchange students of all levels of proficiency. Her background in coordinating programs and facilitating cross-cultural understanding make Xiaohan a valuable asset to the program. As a longtime Xi’an resident, she serves as an excellent guide for students navigating the city’s numerous opportunities. Moreover, a native of Xinjiang Province, Xiaohan offers key firsthand insights during the Silk Road trip.